Machine for making toothpicks and the like



Jan. 11 1927. ,6l3,623

G. P. STANLEY MACHINE Foa MAKING TOOTHP'ICKS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 2o, 192@` s sheets-sheet 1 Jan. ll 1927.v

- G. P. STANLEY MACHINE FOR MAKING TOOTHPICKS AND THE LIKE iled`Fe'b. '20, 1926 Jan; 11 1927. 1,613,623

G. P. STANLEY MACHINE FOR MAKING TOOTHPICKS AND THE LIKE 3 vShlee'cs--Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 20, 1926 Patented Jan. l1, 1927.

`iran STATES PATENT oFFicE.

GEORGE P. STANLEY, or DIXFIELD, MAINE, As'sIeNon ro nnRsnroRsTnR-DIXFIELD l COMPANY, oF DIXFIELD, MAINE, A CORPORATION or MAINE. I

MACHINE FOR MAKING TOOTI-IPICKS AND THE LIKE.

Application iled February This linvention relates to machines for making round toothpicks, skewers and similar articles; having especial reference to that type of machine whereby splints are supplied singly to a peripherally grooved or pocketed carrier which advances them in rapid succession to the path of an elementoperative to effect the rotation of the splints about their own axes and in contact with an abrading wheel jwhich is locatedsexteriorly of and adjacent to the splint carrier and is adapted to reduce the splints to the desired form; such, for example, as illustrated in Letters Patent of the United States No. 661,642, dated November 13, 1900.

My invention, generally stated, comprises improvements in the construction and mounting of the splint carrier, and in a novel arrangement and mounting of the splint-rotating element in such cooperative relation to the said carrier and the abrading wheel that the entire surface of each splint is eli'ectually subjected to the action of the abrading wheel, together with various features oit construction and combinations of parts, all of which will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a toothpiclr machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is anV end elevation of the machine. Fig; 3 is a plan ot the same.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail of the adjacent peripheral portions of the splint carrier and l theabradinc' wheel.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section through the splint carrier and associated parts, as on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

lFig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section, as on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a supporting frame including a bed 11; and 12 designates the main drive shaft journaled in suitably located bearings below the bed.k

i. lperipherallygrooved` splint carrier comprising two counterpart spaced-apart annular members 13 are mounted `for concurrent rotation through an opening in the bed, which members are provided throughout their circumference with transverse grooves 111 arranged in spaced parallel relation. `The grooves of the two members are in longitudinal. alignment with each other, each .pair of aligning grooves being formed 2o, i926. serial No. 89,569.

to receive and support the respective ends of a splint which bridges the space between the two members. Each annular member is laterally recessed adjacent its periph-ery, as at 15, and is rotatably seated on a fixed circular head 16. In the present instance the head is formed with an outwardly projecting supporting member 17 which rests upon and is bolted to the bed 11. Secured by screws 17, or otherI means, to the outer edge of each annulus are spaced-apart clips .or lugs 18 which flank the adjacent face ofthe iXed bearing head 16 and maintain. the annular member to its seat;,and similarly secured to such edge is an external annular gear 19 which meshes with a pinion 2O on a transverse shaft 21 journaled in b0Xes22 on the bed, whereby when the shaft 21 is actuated.v the motion is transmitted `therefrom to the annular members 13, thus rotating them as a unit. As a means to rotate th-e shaft 21 it is provided at one end with a sheave 23 which is connected with and driven from a sheave 211- on a shaft 25 at the rear of the bed 11 by a belt 26, which latter sheave is equipped with a face gear 27 `in mesh. with a pinion 28 on a stud-shaft 29 projecting from the bed. This stud-shaft is provided with a sheave 30 which, in turn, is connected to the main shaft 12 by crossed belt 31.

Splints are supplied in any suitable manner to the upper peripheral portion of the rotating annular members 13 so as to be severally `seated in and carried by the suc-` The means illustrated for cessive grooves. this purpose comprises anelongated splint# feeding trough 32 which is supported by a pair of side brackets 33 extending from a block 34 bolted to a bifurcated standard 35 rising from the front end of the bed 11. This standard straddles the lsplint carrier in the vicinity of the abrading wheel. The delivery end of the trough overhangs the annular members andy isprovided with a transverse splint separating and positioning roll 3G which is arranged in close relation to the grooved peripheries of the said members and is rotatable in an opposite direction thereto so as to permit the passage of the descending Vsplints from the hopper singly to the successively advancing grooves. Y. The shaft 37 of this roll has its bearings in the sides ci trough and also in a bracket 38 extending from the standard 35, and is driven by suitable gearing hereinafter described.V

ltlounted in front of the annular splintcarrier is an abrading Wheel 39 having va vslightly concaved periphery Which rotates in proximity to thegrooved periphery of the splint carrier, the peripheries of the respective members of the latterbeing shaped toaccord with the curvature of the Wheel, as shown most elearly'in Fig. d. The concave periphery of the abrading Wheel presen-ts an ui-iinterrupted abrading surface which spans the space between the respective membersY of the carrier and affords a splint bea-ring portion directly opposite to the pressure roll. rfhis abrading wheel is fast on a shafty l0 which has its bearings in spacedapart boxes ll onthe bed l1, and is pro-vided at one lend with a pulley 4t2 that is connected by'meanis of belt i3 ivith a pulley la on the main shaft, In' this Waythe abrading Wheel is rotated reversely of the splintcarrier. The boxes Lflare preferably slidably mounted on the bed and are connected to suitable adjusting screw-s a mounted in bearing blocks l) on the bed, so that by manipulation ofthe screws the boxes, together with the abrading Wheel, can be nicely adjusted ftowa-rd or from the splint carrier7 as desired.` Bolts (n entering the bed through elongatec. holes in the bases of the boxes, serve to maintain the boxes in their positions jof adjustment. y V 'In the space between the annular members of the splint carrier vis mounted a roll 45, of rubber orr otherlyielding substance, the periphery of which roll rotates through an arc at or adjacent the periphery of the splint carrier7 and thence the splints seated 'in the groovesv of and borne by the Vcarrier come success vely in contact u-'ith the periphery of the roll as they approach the abrading Wheel. This roll is driven at high speed and in the 'same lirection as the abrading wheel, and hence when the si'icceeding'splints come in contact'witli 'the roll they are yieldingly pressed thereby against and throughout .tl e Width offthe uninterruptedperipheral surface of the abrading Wheel and are thus independently rotated on `their oivn aries Within Vthe grooves of the carrier. Consequently "the entire surface vtf each splint is brought in rolling Contact with the concave periphery of the abrading Wheel; and the splint is perforc'e reduced to circular form in cross- .'ection, tapering at eachl end to a point.

rBhe shaft 4G 'ofthe roll extends through ran ehmgatedv opening l? in one of `the lined circularheads 1G and has its bearings in a bracket 4:3 mounted on the adjacent supporting member 17. Thisbracliet is preferablyT secured to `the member 17- by boltsll passingftlirough elongated slots in the bracket. so that the bracket, .together with the shalt yrlipluryy of the carriern and the roll, can be adjusted longitudinally of the bed in order to set the periphery of the roll in accurate operative relation to the Vgrooves of the splint carrier. 1Fixed on the shaft lo is a sheave 5 0 Which Vis connected With and driven from the pulley l2 on vthe shaft 4L() by means of a belt 5l. Y

Motion is transmitted from the shaft 46 to vthe shaft 37 of the splint separating and positioning roll 36 hereinbefore mentioned througha train of reducing gears, comprisingk 52, 53 fast' on the respective shafts #26, 3l, vand intermeshing idlers 54, which idlers are mount-ed on studs 55 projecting from a bracket 56 on the bifurcated standard 35 `which is bolted to the bed. lt is to be noted that motion is t ansmitted from the abrading Wheel? shaftv llOtov the respective rolls l5 and 136 `thus avaiiling of the momentum ofthe heavy abradingwheel to facilitate thev rotation of the tivo rolls.

The standard 35 supports a pair of strips "57 having depending segmental fingers 53 which overlie the grooved peripheries of the annular members 13 of the splint 'carrier1 thfus preventing the displacement of the splints as they progress to the bite of the ,roll l5 and the abrading Wheel 39.

Fromthe foregoing it will be seen that all vthe-moving elements, including the inter-nal pressure roll7 of a machine embodying my invention, are positively and continuously rotatable on their own axes, thus ensuring a balanced and rapid operation of the machine, and further that by the novel mounting of the said pressure roll within the annular splint carrier and in c-o-operative relation to the abrading Wheel tl e splints borne bythe carrier areV individually subjected in rapid succession throughout their Ventire surfaces tothe efficient rounding and polishing actionof the-ivhcch thus producinc; smooth uniform toothpiclrs or similar articles.

lt is to be understood that my invention `is not limited to the details of construction herein .disclosed asl themecnanism lmay be moeiiied ,Within the principle of the invention andthe scope of the appended clail` ls.

l claiml. The. combination of a splint carrier comprising spaced-apart members mounted for. .unitary rotation and having corresponding 4'peripheral splint-holding grooves. a yielding pressure roll arranged in iorly ofthe said-carrier and ving its periphery rotatable in proximity to the groover peabrading r-fheel mounted exteriorly of and( adgacent the grooved periphery of the carmen said Wheel having its periphery slightly eoncaved from side to si le thereof and presenting an uninterrupted abrad-mg surface which spans the space vbetween the said carrier members and a'Eords Ya splint bearingportion directly lOl) Cil

opposite to the pressure roll, and mechanism tor rotatingthe splint carrier in one direction and torretating the pressure ioll and abi'ading Wheel in a direction reversely of that et the carrier, whereby splints borne by the carrier are individually advanced be-l tiveen the opposing peripheries et the pres-` sure roll and abrading Wheel and are in* dependently rotated on their. own axes by the direct eounteracting rotative torces et' said roll and Wheel so as to present the entire surilace ot each splint to the action ot the abrading ivheel.

The combination oi a splint carrier comprising spaced-apart annular members provided with corresponding` peripheral splint-holding grooves, stationary bearing heads on which the respective members are mounted i'or unitary rotation, a yielding pressure roll arranged interiorly ot the carrier and having its periphery rotatable in proximity to the grooved periphery of the carrier, an abrading Wheel mounted eXteriorly oi and adjacent the grooved periphery of the carrier, and mechanism for rotating the splint carrier in one direction and for rotating the pressure roll and abrading Wheel in a direction reversely ot that oi the iarrier, vvhereby the splints borne by the carrier are individually advanced between the opposing peripheries of the pressure roll and abrading Wheel and are thereby independently rotated to 4present the entire surface et each splint to the action ot the abrading Wheel.

The combination with a splint carrier comprising spaced-apart annular members provided with corresponding` peripheral splint-holding grooves, stationary bearing heads on Which the respective members are mounted ior unitary rotation, annular gears on said members, pinions in mesh with said gears, and means for supporting and rotating said pinious, of a yielding pressure roll arranged iiiteriorly ot the carrier and having its periphery rotatable in proximity to the grooved periphery of the carrier, a shaft iter said roll extending laterally oit the carrier, an abradiiig Wheel mounted exteriorly ot and adjacent the grooved periphery ot the carrier, andA means ior rotating said abrading Wheel and roll in a direction reversely oi that of the carrier.

el. The combination otra splint carrier comprising spaced-apart annular members provided with corresponding peripheral splint-holding grooves, stationary bearing heads on which the respective members are mounted for unitary rotation, means tor continuously rotating said members, means comprising a ieedV trough and a separating and positioning roll tor supplying splints to the grooves of said carrier,`a yielding pressure roll arranged interiorly of the car- `rier and having its periphery rotatable in proximity to the grooved peripheryoi the carrier, al shalt for said roll extending lat eially oi the carrier, an abrading Wheel mounted eXteriorly ot and adjacent the grooved periphery ot the carrier, means for rotating said abrading Wheel, operative connection between the said Wheel and the shaft ot the pressure roll, and operative connee tion between the said shaft and the separating and positioning roll.

5. The combination et a splint "carrier comprising spaced-apart members mounted iter unitary rotation and having corresponding peripheral splint-holding grooves, a yielding pressure roll arranged interiorly ot the said cariier and having itsperiphery rotatable in close relation to the grooved periphery of said carrier, means for adjusting said roll toward and from the periphery of the splint carrier, an abrading Wheel mounted eXteriorly of and adjacent the grooved periphery of the carrier, said Wheel having its periphery slightly concaved from side to side thereof and presenting an uninterrupted abrading surface Which spans the space between the said carrier members and atiords a splint bearing portion directly opposite to the pressure roll, and mechanism for rotating the pressure roll and the abrading Wheel in a direction reversely oit that ot the carrier, whereby splints borne by the carrier are individually advanced between the opposing peripheries oi' the pressure roll and abrading Wheel and are independently rotated on their own axes by the counter-acting rotative forces of said roll and Wheel so asv to present the entire surface of each splint to the action of the abrading Wheel.

6. The combination of a splint carrier comprising spaced-apart annular members provided With corresponding Vperipheral splint holding grooves, stationary bearing heads on which the'respective members are mounted for unitary rotation, means for conw i ou tinuously rotating said members, a yielding i pressure roll arranged Ainteriorly of the caru rier and having its periphery rotatable in proximity to the grooved periphery ot the carrier, a shaft :tor said roll extending laterally of the carrier, a bearing member for said shaft mounted -for adjustment toward and from the periphery of the carrier, means tor securing said bearing member in itsA positions of adjustment, an abrading wheel mounted exteriorly oi and adjacent the grooved periphery ot the carrier, and mechanism *for rotating the pressure roll and the abrading Wheel in a direction ieversely ot that of the carrier.

7. The combination oit a splint carrier comprising spaced-apart members mounted `for unitary rotation andhaving corresponding peripheral splint-holding grooves, a yielding pressure roll arranged interiorly .et

. periphery the said carrier` and `having its periphery rotatable iny close relationto the grooved periphery of said carrier, an abrading Wheel mounted eXteriorly of and adjacent the grooved periphery of :the'carrier7 said Wheel having its periphery slightly concaved from side to side thereof and presenting an uninterrupted abrading surface which spans the space between the said carrier members and afords a splint bearing portion directly opposite tothe pressure roll, means for adjusting said Wheel toward and Jfrom the of the carrier', and mechanism for Y rotatingthe pressure roll and the abrading Wheel in a direction reversely of that of the carrier, whereby splints borne by the carrier are individually advanced between the opposing peripheries of the pressure roll and abrading Wheel and are independently rotated on their own axes by the counter acting rotative forces of said roll and Wheel so as to present the entire surface of each splint to the action of the abrading Wheel.

Signed at Dxield in the county of @Xiord and State of Maine this 11th day of Feb. 25

GEORGE P. STANLEY. 

